Preparing for Surgery

Pre Surgery

For outpatient surgery, someone should be at your home with you or immediately available the night of the surgery.

Pre-Op Medications and Supplements

Please STOP taking any of the following listed medications 5 days prior to your surgery, these may lead to bleeding, the medications include: Alka Seltzer, Aspirin, Coumadin (unless directed by your surgeon for this procedure), Excedrin, Heparin, Nuprin, Plavix, Pletal, Salsalate, Ticlid, Toradol, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, St. John’s Wort, Fish Oil or any other mega dose vitamins. You may take a multivitamin up to the day of surgery. You may resume taking your supplements and medications the day after surgery. DO NOT DISCONTINUE ANY OTHER MEDICATION YOU MAY BE TAKING. If you are taking Heparin, Coumadin, Plavix or Ticlid, please advise your doctor right away.

Surgical Medications

The week prior to your surgery medications will be phoned into your pharmacy. Coumadin (if instructed)- take 2 if the 5mg tabs the night before your surgery. You will then be instructed on a dosage following a blood test administered every few days either in the hospital or by your home care nurse. Coumadin therapy lasts for 14 days following surgery. Antibiotics (if instructed)- begin the morning following surgery and take until the pills are gone. Pain medication- is to be taken as needed for pain. Some pain medications, such as Percocet, cannot be telephoned into a pharmacy. You will be given a written prescription for that type of medication. Aspirin (if instructed)- this is purchased over the counter. Buy the coated “adult” dosage of 325mg. Unless instructed otherwise, take one pill nightly for 14 days following surgery.

Surgery Check-In Time

This is assigned by the surgical facility or hospital 24-48 hours prior to surgery. The facility where you are having surgery will call you directly. If you have not heard from them by 2pm the day prior to your surgery you may call our office or the surgical center/hospital for information. Generally, they will call you the day before surgery. Please be aware that check-in times are an estimate and can be changed, even last minute.

Post Surgery

Home Health Care and/or Home Physical Therapy

Home health care is commonly ordered for patients having reconstructive surgery. They will generally come to you house within 24-48 hours after surgery. The nurse will check on how you are doing and change the bandage (in most cases). The home care company (selected by your insurance) will contact you directly. They typically will contact you the day he or she plans to visit, not before. If you do not hear from the home health care nurse by 3pm the day following surgery, please contact our office at 435-615-8822 during business hours.

Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Device

A CPM is a postoperative treatment method that is designed to aid recovery of the joint after surgery. It helps restore motion and joint nutrition while helping to prevent the formation of tight scar. In most cases the CPM vendor is chosen by your insurance company and they will deliver the device to your home the day of or the day after your surgery. The company that provides you with the CPM should review the operation instructions with you. CPM settings (be sure to take your brace off when using the CPM). Begin 0-70 degrees, increase 5 degrees, twice daily if possible. Use the machine approximately 4 to 6 hours per a 24-hour period. Increase the motion settings as much and as quickly as possible. Unless instructed otherwise you should try to maximize the motion of the CPM. Once you have reached the maximum setting on the machine for 2 or 3 days, you can stop using it. At this point you should call the company that provided the machine and have them pick it up from your home.

Wound Care

Keep the surgical dressing and area dry and clean. To shower, you should wrap the surgical site with plastic. We recommend “Press and Seal” plastic wrap that can be found in your local grocery store. Portals (arthroscopic holes) can get soaking wet 3 days after the sutures are removed. Incisions can typically get soaking wet 2 to 3 weeks post-op.

Surgical Soap/Adhesive On Your Skin

The surgical soap used during surgery has an adhesive in it. This brownish substance may still be on your skin after surgery. It will not come off with soap and water. To get it off, you need to use a solvent, such as adhesive remover, nail polish remover, or “Goo-Gone”. For example, you can use a small amount of acetone on a cotton ball or wash cloth and gently rub the area until clean. Surgical ink (lines and letters) should be removed with an abrasive cleaner or scrubber.

Game Ready Device

This is an ice-compression device, which in many cases provides excellent relief from pain and swelling. It is typically used for 1-2 weeks postoperative, as each patient chooses. This device is not typically covered by insurance (except Workman’s Comp which does provide it). Please let our office staff know if you want to have the Game Ready unit. You will need to call the vendor, Mr. David Jex to set up this service, his phone is 801-318-3695. If you elect to have the Game Ready, it will be placed on you directly after surgery and you will go home with the unit. When you are finished using it, call Mr. Jex and he will come pick the unit up.